Politics

Rivers People Will Determine Atiku’s Fate Saturday, Says PDP

Published

3 years ago

February 24, 2023

Editor

As the election is less than 10 hours from now, the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State has said that voters in the state will determine the fate of the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at the polls on Saturday.

The PDP spokesman in the state, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, in a phone conversation with our correspondent on Friday, said the Rivers people were intelligent people and that they would make their choice at the polls.

This is as the governor of the state, Nyesom Wike, is still bent, till die minute, on not campaigning for the candidate of the party.

Speaking with our candidate on the fate of Atiku in the elections, Chief Nwuke said, “My thinking is that quite a lot of people here are politically enlightened, and they have been following developments in the past few months. Most (of them) feel completely agitated that the interest of the South was not protected by the party.

“Not many people here are pleased that the situation is the way it is that somebody from a section of the country is the presidential candidate and another person (Iyorchia Ayu) from the same section of the party is the chairman of the party.

“There have been conversations going on among the people. I believe that most of them will vote the candidate of their choice. It’s left to the people, the people are sufficiently enlightened.

“When it comes to the party’s candidate, they will vote the PDP.”

Nwuke said so much was at stake regarding the elections in the state, which included the interest of the state, and the interest of the South.

According to him, if the people’s interests at the polls turn out to be against the party’s candidate, then the party would learn a lesson for the future, “they would not make that kind of mistake.”

He said, “If the people vote Bola Tinubu or the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, it will also mean they voted a southern candidate.”

However, the All Progressives Congress Chapter in the state, is upbeat about the chances of the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

In a phone conversation with our correspondent late Friday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Darlington Nwauju, said, “We’re prepared for the elections and we want to win.”

Also responding to questions on the chances of Tinubu in a state ruled by the PDP, the governorship candidate of the party, Tonye Cole, said power often changed hands. “Power is about to shift completely,” he said.

The PUNCH reports that Wike of Rivers State who is the leader of five aggrieved PDP governors known as G-5, including Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, have turned backs against Atiku over what they described as unequal representation in the hierarchy of the party’s leadership.

Amid this crisis, rather than supporting Atiku, Governor Ortom had declared his support for Obi of the Labour Party.

Politics

Peter Obi Meets US Consul General, Hopes For Credible Polls In 2027

Published

11 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Chieftain of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi on Tuesday held a meeting with United States Consul General, Mr Rick Swart.

Obi made this known via his X handle.

He said “This morning, in Lagos, I met with the U.S. Consul General, Mr Rick Swart, where we discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship. We focused on promoting credible elections in Nigeria, ensuring they are free from interference, and fostering a space where all political parties, especially opposition parties can thrive, and contribute.

“We also discussed trade and business opportunities between our countries. Accompanying me to the meeting was Dr Adefolaseye Adebomi Adebayo.

“The discussion was very productive, and we are hopeful that, moving forward, Nigeria’s elections will be even more credible and transparent.”

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

17 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”